Thiruvotriyur

Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple-Thiruvotriyur

Thiyagaraja Swamy-(file picture)

Thyagaraja Temple,also called as Vadivudai Amman Temple is located in Tiruvottiyur in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This is one of the Padal Petra sthalams revered by the Tevaram hymns of Saiva nayanars. All the three saints Appar, Samandar and Sundarar have praised the Lord in Thevaram songs in this temple. The temple is closely associated with the saint poet Sundarar and Pattinathar.The temple has been in existence from the Pallava times of the 7th century and expanded and renovated during the 11th century by Chola kings.

Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple

As per legends Lord Shiva took the form a huge fire to make the water recede during the 'Pralayam' ( the colossal flooding of the earth) and he stayed here as a Swayambu lingam under a Makizhampoo tree. As he helped water to recede (vatra in Tamil), this place may have been vcalled as Thiru Vatriyur ,now Thiruvotriyur.It is beleived that this is the first Swayambu lingam (self manifested) that appeared in the earth after the Pralayam, the lord here is named “Adhipureeswarar” (Adhi, the first).

As per another legend ,two demons Madhu and Kaithaba stole the Vedas, hid them in the bottom of the sea. Devas went to Lord Mahavishnu to recover the Vedas. After worshiping Lord Shiva here, Mahavishnu reinvarmnated himself as a Koorma avatar and brought the Veda back to this place. Lord Shiva sanctified the Vedas again and restored them to the devas.

As per another legend,serpent Vasuki (king of serpants), had worshiped Lord Shiva here. Impressed by Vasuki's devotion, it is believed that Lord Shiva appeared from the ant hill,and presented him an ornament for his neck. Hence the lord here is called Otreeswarar and Padampakkanathar.

The Temple: The age of this temple is said to be more than 1000 years old.The temple has a five tiered gopuram and situated in a sprawling space covering 4000 sq metres (1 acre). It is unique in feature that this temple has two of everything. Two Lord Shivas ,Aadhipureeswarar and Ottreeswarar and two ambals, Vadivudai amman and Vattaparai Amman, two pushkaranis (holy tanks),two sthala vrikshams(sacred trees) Athi and Makizham tree.

As you enter the main gopuram, you can see two kodimarams (flagstaff), one for the Lord Shiva and the other for ambal. As you enter on your right you can the Goddess Vadivudai Amman sannidhi.On the left side you can see the sannidhis of Ganesha and Subramanya.Saint Arunagirinathar is said to have praised lord Muruga here in Tirupugazh.

Vadivudai amman sannidhi

Vadivudaiamman

The moolavar is Aadhipureeswarar is in the form of a earthen mound kept covered by a kavacham (silver plated covering). On the full moon of the Tamil month Karthigai (Nov-Dec), the kavacham is removed for three days for darshan. It is believed that during this three days Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and Vasuki appear here for worshipping Lord Shiva. You can see small idols of Lord Brahma and Vishnu inside. The Shiva Lingam is said to be 'theenda meni' (untoched by human hands),the abhishekams to the Lord is done with with punugu, javadhu, and other incense oils without touching the Lingam. The garbagriham's back is here is semi circleof the style the Gaja Brishtam, that looks like the rear of an elephant.

There is seperate sannidhi for Gowleeswarar appearing holding a bowl in his left hand and his right hand shows the Chin Mudra.

Ambal Vadivudaiamman also known as Tripurasundari is in a seperate sannidhi.Among the three important Sakthi temples , Vadividaiamman here is for Gnana sakthi(wisdom). The other two are, Thiruvudai Amman, Melur is Ichchaa Sakthi (desire or wishes),and the Kodiyidai Amman Temple, Thirumullaivoyal as Kriyaa Sakthi (for dynamics).

There is a Sri Durga shrine in the northern side of the temple. Inside the moolavar sannidhi there is Nataraja sannidhi. There is beautiful Ganapati idol called Gunalaya Ganapati, and as we come around the shrine we can see an idol of Adi Shankara, on the backside of main sannidhi.There is a sannidhi for Maha Kali. Adi Shankara is said to have installed a meru or chakra to calm down the Rudra roopi (angry,ferocious) to Sowmya roopi (Calm).

There are representation of the Pancha Bootha Lingas and also a sannidhi for the 27 stars such as Ashwini,Bharini,Krithika, upto Revathi.

There are other deities inside the sanctum and in the praharam are Agasalingam, Thiruvotrieswarar, Kalyana sundarar, Jaganadhar, Annamalayar, Ramanathar, Suryan, Chandran, Nalvars, Jambukeswarar, Nagalingar, Meenakshi, Sundareswarar, Sahasralingam (thousand small lingams engraved on a bigger lingam), Amirthakandeesar, and Ekapaadhar and more which you might miss in your first visit.
This is the sthalam where Kaliya Murthy Nayanar and Pattinathar attained mukthi.Pattinathar adishtanam is around a km from the temple.
Pooja & Festivals Apart from the daily poojas of four times a day and abhishekams, Pradoshams are very important and celeberated with much devotion.(The dusk time of the trayodasi (thirteenth moon day after full moon and New Moon) between 4.30 p.m. to 6.00 p.m. is called Pradhosham.) The temple sees a huge crowd during Maha Sivarathiri. Nine days Navarathri festival is celeberated for Ambal Vadivudaiamman.
Pattinathar Guru Poojai in the Tamil month of Adi (July-August) and the 18-day festivals for Sri Vattaparai Amman in the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May).

Temple location It is situated in Tiruvotriyur, a suburb of North Chennai.

Temple Timings The temple is open from 4:30 AM till 12:00 noon and from 4:00 pm till 9:00 pm.

How to reach? Tiruvotriyur is well connected by local buses from all part of the city, and also there is a suburban railway station nearby.

Where to Stay? Chennai has many star hotels,deluxe,semi deluxe and economy hotels.

Useful Information There is a battery operated car to ferry senior citizens and also wheel chairs available. Photography is not encouraged and security employed by HR&CE literally shouts at you without decency. Parking is also difficult near the temple with so many roadside shops occupying the parking areas.

Contact Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple
Sannathi Street,
Thiruvottiyur, Chennai,
Chennai - 600019.
Phone Number : 044-25733703
Email : vadivudaiamman@tnhrce.com

Useful data
State: Tamil Nadu
District: Chennai
Famous for: Pilgrimage
Languages: English,Tamil, Telugu
Best Season: Throughout the year. Summer( from May to July) could be very sultry when the mercury shoots to 40 degree celsius.
Weather: Summer 33-42°C, Winter 16-28°C
Altitude: Sea level